26/02/2014 - Protecting vulnerable minors
For Immediate Release
SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN FOR NEW LEGISLATION REGARDING TEEN ABORTION
SASKATCHEWAN NEEDS PARENTAL CONSENT FOR ABORTION LEGISLATION
February 26, 2014
Ottawa, ON - Earlier this month a public awareness campaign was launched in Regina, SK calling on the government of that province to enact parental consent for abortion legislation.
The manner in which abortion is handled in Saskatchewan, particularly pertaining to minors, sits in stark contrast to how minors are treated when it comes to other matters dealing with the body.
“Increasingly we are hearing calls for parental consent to be required for such things as tanning salons, tattoo parlours, and even body piercing,” said campaign spokesperson Mike Schouten. “But, when a young, teenage girl becomes unexpectedly pregnant, and is uncertain about what to do, she can request and receive an abortion without any knowledge of her parents.”
Currently in Canada parental consent for abortion is not required in any province.
“We are out of step with most countries when it comes to parental consent,” said Schouten. “Most health jurisdictions around the world have legislation that protects the vulnerability of minors by enacting parental consent for abortion legislation, including 39 of the 50 states just south of us.”
Polls consistently show that a majority of Canadians support parental consent laws for women under the age of 18. Unfortunately, abortion providers have exploited the fact that there are no such laws. For example, Planned Parenthood Regina assists teens by advising them that they do not need their parents consent.
“Saskatchewan parents, as well as lawmakers, should be very disturbed by the fact that not only can their teenage daughters request and receive an abortion without their knowledge, they are also encouraged to keep it a secret from the family doctor,” continued Schouten.
Young girls need the protection of caring parents or guardians. Melissa E., who spoke on the steps of the Saskatchewan Legislative Buildings at the launch of the campaign, said, “When I became pregnant in Gr. 12, I foolishly thought that my boyfriend and I could deal with our unplanned pregnancy on our own, without any support from our parents. And after learning from my family doctor that I could have an abortion without parental consent, I decided on that outcome.” Melissa concluded her remarks by saying, “So please let us be parents to our teenagers in the fullest sense of the word. Let us guide, help, and advise our pregnant teens and in the event that an abortion actually does occur, let us be a shoulder to cry on. Allow the law to be on the side of families. Some of us are pro-choice, some of us are pro-life, but what matters is that we are all pro-family.” A video of Melissa’s speech can be viewed on YouTube.
Parental consent for abortion legislation will protect the health and welfare of young teenage girls. It will foster family unity and preserve the constitutional rights of parents to raise their children and be involved in all the steps of that process.
Schouten concluded by saying, “Through the website, sk.parentalconsent.ca we will inform and give residents of Saskatchewan tools to engage their friends, family, co-workers, neighbours, and most important of all - tools to engage their elected officials - as to the need for a parental consent for abortion law to be enacted in the province of Saskatchewan.”
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